It’s amazing how my total approach to decorating our home has changed in just over two years of marriage. As a recent newlywed, I found myself living in a tiny apartment in Monterey, California, so in love and so totally broke after graduating college and moving across the country to be with my husband. That meant we had to be very intentional with what we put in our home, choosing decor accents that had special significance or we knew we’d love for the long haul. I initially struggled to not buy every adorable thing I saw in Target and our strict budget really helped reign in my shopaholic tendencies. And boy, am I so glad I went through that steep learning curve! There is so much joy that comes from filling your home with purposeful, intentional pieces that totally sum up you and your family’s personal aesthetic.

I’m proud of how my husband and I have pieced our home together bit-by-bit, mixing budget finds with heirloom quality pieces so we can live comfortably without breaking the bank. I’ve found that small accents are a fantastic way to infuse personality and warmth into bigger rooms like our living room or master bedroom. And when I came across Abigail & Whimsy on Instagram, I knew her heartfelt canvases would be the perfect addition to our little love nest.

be present canvas

Abi Losi, the gem of an artist behind Abigail & Whimsy, is on a mission to create thoughtful, one-of-a-kind pieces that remind you to focus on the important things in life. Each canvas is made to order, hand painted and hand lettered to perfection. With mantras like, “trust,” “grateful,” and “explore,” it’s tough to not feel inspired after resting your eyes on one of these little beauties.

As fate would have it, Armon and I chose that 2014 would be a year of being fully present in your daily lives, engaging in those around us in the moment and focusing on the here and now rather than the coming months or years. It’s entirely too easy to focus on the future and totally miss out on what wonderful opportunities and circumstances are in your present. This beautiful canvas serves as a constant reminder to keep us fully present and on track towards living the intentional life we so crave. We also fondly refer to one another as “Beloved,” so this little teal canvas felt like it was meant to be.

beloved canvas

Abi creates her sweet artwork from a place of love and encouragement, using her talents to spread a little joy and focus to her sweet customers. I’m a big believer that the words we surround ourselves with have a lot of power to either light us up or bring us down. I’m so delighted that Abi has launched this encouraging shop so that her work can continue to lift other up, calling attention to what truly matters most.

My husband and I have loved adding these thoughtful custom pieces to our home, and I can speak firsthand to the fact that these truthful words and phrases do draw our attention to what we value. Be sure to hop over to Abi’s shop to see her full selection of canvas colors and phrases, and don’t miss out on connecting with her on Instagram, too! Y’all will just love this lovely lady.